Question

What does this sentence tell you about the main idea of "Kellar and the Rope Trick"? Observe how the astonishing myth has grown up simply because observers failed to note and report a few "inessential facts" —notably the time and the place.

Answer 1

The sentence indicates that 'Kellar and the Rope Trick' mainly deals with how myths arise from the omission of certain details like 'time and place,' leading to a narrative that's far from the truth.

Step-by-step explanation:

The sentence in question suggests that the main idea of "Kellar and the Rope Trick" revolves around the theme of misinformation and myth formation. It implies that certain details, deemed 'inessential' by observers, were overlooked or omitted, thus giving rise to an astonishing myth. The absence of factual reporting, especially on the 'time and the place,' allowed for a narrative to be built that is far from the truth, and precisely due to these omissions, a legendary or mythical status was achieved for a performance that may have otherwise been easily explained or demystified.

The rope trick itself could be understood metaphorically, representing how tales become more elaborate and embellished as they are passed on without thorough verification or critical scrutiny. This passage is likely commenting on human nature's fascination with the extraordinary and the willingness to accept fantastic stories when the mundane details that could explain them are not given sufficient attention.